Black bears on the rise, what (not) to do about it

KENT — Residents of the Northwest Corner probably don’t need to be told that black bears are becoming increasingly common. A spokesman from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection told an audience on Saturday, June 11, at the Kent Memorial Library that the number of bears is in fact increasing — and that the bears are here to stay.

Whether you admire the furry animals or are driven crazy by their scavenging habits, there’s a proper way to relate with them to minimize conflict.

Paul Colburn, a master wildlife conservationist with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), was the speaker at the library talk.

A crowd of nearly 50 people gained insight into the general qualities of  black bears, their history in the state and how to respond to their presence.

Currently, there are 600 to 700 black bears in the state, Colburn said. Growing in yearly increments of 10 to 15 percent, their population is likely to double every 5 to 7 years.

The most important responsibility people can take upon themselves in order to minimize conflict with the bears, Colburn stated, is to manage food.

“A fed bear is a dead bear,” Colburn said, citing what he referred to as the “DEEP saying.”

He told the audience that habits such as using birdfeeders between March and November or leaving trash or compost outside in vulnerable places can cause bears to become habituated to human encounters, diminishing their natural fear of humans.

Colburn referred to examples from within the state to demonstrate how such habituated bears are more likely to act aggressively around humans, thus necessitating a lethal course of action from the DEEP.

With adult male black bears weighing in at an average of 150 to 450 pounds (the record in the state is 600 pounds) and the capability to run up to 35 miles per hour, the bears are, as Colburn said, “not an animal to be trifled with.”

He said the black bears’ sense of smell is seven times as acute as that of a bloodhound, allowing them to catch a whiff of birdseed from miles away.

Colburn’s presentation was complete with hand-out models of bear paws and scat. 

The chances that anyone will encounter a bear during a walk in the woods are quite slim, Colburn said, because of their fear for humans. That being said, should you find yourself in a heart-pumping confrontation with a black bear outdoors, Colburn gave a few tips to keep in mind.

One, don’t run. Running can elicit a predatory response from the bear — and they’re faster.

Two, don’t climb. They’re better climbers.

Three, don’t play dead. While this method may be effective for brown or grizzly bears, black bears won’t buy the deception.

Instead, Colburn said the best method for warding off a bear is to identify yourself as a human by signaling your presence with big gestures and loud noises.

If the bear doesn’t leave, slowly back away, still facing the bear but avoiding eye contact.

Colburn asked that everyone in the audience report black bear sightings to the DEEP by phone at 860-424-3011 or at www.ct.gov/deep/blackbear, to help them monitor the population.